The Giants signed two minor league free agent deals this week. Here's the breakdown:
John Nogowski 1B. DOB: 1/5/1993. 6'0", 245 lbs. B-R, T-L. Nogowski was drafted by the A's(of course) in 2014, round 34 out of Florida St. His minor league resume includes the A's and Cardinals organizations. He has just 148 PA in the major leagues but solid plate discipline numbers in the minors with a BB%= 11.13 and K%= 10.60. The only thing missing from his minor league numbers is power which is essential for a 1B only defensive player. This profile fits perfectly with the FZ formula of signing players with great plate discipline numbers and then letting the Giants swing mechanics coaches work their magic.
Ka'ai Tom OF. DOB: 5/24/1994. 5'9", 180 lbs. B-L, T-R. Tom was drafted in the 5'th round of the 2015 draft by the Indians out of Kentucky. He made his MLB debut this year with a total of 129 PA's for the Pirates and, yep, the A's. He also has strong minor league plate discipline numbers with a BB% of 11.21 and K% of 19.46. He's hit for more power than Nogowski and has shown the ability to steal a few bases.
Let's welcome John Nogowski and Ka'ai Tom to The Churn.
Clayton Kershaw is a FA at the end of 2021. In 14 years with the Dodgers, he's "earned" $257,701,142, more than $30M/yr the last 7.
ReplyDeleteHe's a cinch HOFer.
What will LA do?
They let Hershiser go after 13 years, but he's not Kershaw.
They let Valenzuela go after 11 years. He's not Kershaw either but he IS an iconic Dodger.
They let HOFer Sutton go after 16 years and 233 wins.
HOFer Drysdale retired after 14 years. This might be more like Kershaw.
HOFer Koufax left on his own terms after 12 years. 19-5 was a "bad" year for him (mixed in with 3 CYA years).
Johnny Podres (my personal least favorite Dodger but I am old) doesn't qualify with the above group.
Would Kershaw jump from a World Series winner? How much does LA want him?
He's 24-14 career against SF, 5 shutouts, 0.889 WHIP.
Scenario: Giants have a huge cash stock sitting and waiting for this offseason FA pool. I've been considering Scherzer as a major target for a long time; I have a feeling, and his history shows, that he's only really gotten better over time.
DeleteSo, the Giants grab Scherzer in a bidding war for 35mil on a 3 year contract. That would leave the Dodgers minus Scherzer, Kershaw, and Bauer in one offseason. I think that's a powerful to way to undermine your main rival in the division, and bring on a pitcher who does not seem to be slowing down with age.
Theseus,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you may be suggesting that the Giants look into signing Kershaw if the Dodgers let him go. Given his age, injuries and what it would cost to pay him, I for one would not be interested in seeing Kershaw wearing the orange and black. Yes, he seems to be a good guy (gives to charities), a competitor and would fit in the clubhouse, but honestly, having a Dodger I have rooted against for years play for the Giants does not sit well with me.